Chris Oze
Co-Founder, Aspiring Materials
Chris Oze joins Breakthrough Energy’s Innovator Fellows program from Aspiring Materials in Christchurch (Ōtautahi), New Zealand (Aotearoa). Chris’ research has focused on magnesium-rich rocks and how they become altered as they naturally capture CO2. As a founding director of Aspiring Materials, he works on accelerating and optimizing CO2 mineralization.
Aspiring Materials has developed a mineral refining process to transform magnesium-rich rocks into a wide variety of products capable of offsetting up to three tons of CO2 for every ton of rock. These products are needed for the green energy transition that is occurring worldwide. Through the Fellows program, Aspiring Materials plans to scale its technology for a pilot plant that will provide the foundation for global industrial operations.
Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts in chemistry-geology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington and a Doctor of Philosophy in geological and environmental sciences from Stanford University. Chris has been in the mountains, lab, and classroom as a geology professor for nearly two decades.
Q&A
Who has had the greatest impact on your career path?
My doctoral degree mentor Bob Coleman at Stanford University never let me forget that geology is always giving us hints on how to solve some of the biggest planetary problems.
What is your favorite word and why?
Inconceivable. Whenever I hear someone say it, it always makes me chuckle.
What is the most impactful book that you have read?
Not technically a book, but “The Far Side” for sure.
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